Catylitic Converer

[NjRef511]

Well,

I was driving home from work today and my check engine light came on. I drove to autozone and had them check the code. It threw a "Catylitic convertor rest. flow" in bay 1. Can I still drive my car for a day or so or need I get it replaced ASAP?

[jackal2000]

bank 1?? i thought bank 2 tested the cat's effectiveness? i think you should be fine driving it for a day or so.

[NjRef511]

Oddly enough, it was a bank 1. I'd have to assume that its nearly completely clogged, though I'm not experiencing a wierd idle, lack of power, ect./

[jackal2000]

might just be a bad sensor

[SweetNLow]

if you hear a rattlin under your car when starting it up and turning it off the cat is most definately bad.

how many miles do you have one your car though......... cats usually last atleast till 100k

[NjRef511]

94650 is the mileage. ANd yeah, I have a slightly higher idle sometimes when it starts...maybe 300-400 RPM higher.

[battistoni21]

yup bad cat.....

[NjRef511]

Alright. Seeing as I can't do the repair myself, I called my mech. Scheduled for Wed service. I'm assuming around 400 for repairs, seeing as I think the part cost something like 225

[jackal2000]

dude, you can get a high flow cat for cheaper than that. what a rip off that guy is.

[NjRef511]

That was my own research from some parts site online...not the mech quote. It'll most likely be a bit cheaper then that. maybe around 325?

[SweetNLow]

im having my converter replaced along with a new muffler on my blazer tommorow all for $189

call around to different muffler shops and see if any will install a generic converter for you rather than the factory replacement one. it will make NO difference and save you money

[jackal2000]

http://www.performancepeddler.com/SC_output.asp?Prodtype=Catalytic+Converter-Universal&ProdMfg=ALL&VYear=ALL&VMake=OLDSMOBILE&VModel=ALERO&sCtrl=Y

[battistoni21]

im getting a magnaflow cat converter for like 50$ and im doin it myself..... hydrolic lifts help :)

[Cliff8928]

bank 1?? i thought bank 2 tested the cat's effectiveness? i think you should be fine driving it for a day or so.

No Alero has Bank 2 sensors. There's only two oxygen sensors, Bank 1, Sensor 1 which is the upstream in the manifold and then there's Bank 1, Sensor 2 which is mounted after the converter.

[Spilner521]

Damn Cliff....always pointing out the minor technical mistakes people make :p I think everyone could figure out what he meant

[Satsuriku]

ya hell, you can even get a high flow cat on ebay for like $100 if not less

[alero440]

For really cheap and if you have no emmisions in your state, just punch the cat out. Cheap and easy fix. It'll be louder, but oh well.

[NjRef511]

We have Emission and Sound laws in NJ. I'm getting a stock-replacement.

[Cliff8928]

For really cheap and if you have no emmisions in your state, just punch the cat out. Cheap and easy fix. It'll be louder, but oh well.

You would either need a new converter or an O2 simulator to get rid of the P0420 - Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold, Bank 1 code.

[elitecloud]

i am just getting this code too - P0420 -

also in your link, there isn't one for a 03 alero jackal....sniffle

is this somthing i can do myself over the weekend?? just unbolt rebolt?

plus my car is running a bit warm like alittle more than half, which it never did before....after i changed the radiator hoses...i went to checkers and the guy said i need to bleed my air out of my car, like the pcm i think there is a nut, and i have to turn the car on let the air out of it and tighten it back up...any truth to this??

[NjRef511]

Argh. Figures I buy a car with California Emissions standards. The total price is 700 Installed. Getting the hazard light switch done too. 110$ for that. Go fucking figure. Nearly 1k for the week's work on the ho. And to top it off, I'm carless till late thursday so ive gotta take ANOTHER day off of work.